Competitor Strategies in Apparel and Footwear

August 2025

Escalating geopolitical uncertainty, Trump policies, shifting consumer demands and technological disruptions are all having a significant impact on the fashion market globally. From diversifying their sourcing and retail markets to investing in AI tools and experience-led models, or banking on sustainability for longer-term value creation, this report looks at the various strategies fashion players are adopting, to build growth and resilience.

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Key findings

Navigating uncertainty through diversification

Ongoing geopolitical disruptions are reshaping the world economy and consumer demands. Market players are forced to mitigate risks and pursue a diversification strategy for their supply chain and retail markets. This may also accelerate investments in AI-powered additive/3D manufacturing lines and new man-made materials to facilitate nearshoring.

Hyper-segmentation to expand and deepen market reach

Market players not only need to expand to emerging economies and diversify geographically but also to sharpen their strategies to effectively target the right audience. Hence, segmenting and better understanding the preferences and values of each generation has never been so crucial.

Rewriting the retail playbook

In a volatile market environment, shaped by geopolitics and technological disruptions, market players need to improve their services to customers, deliver personalised high-touch experiences, embrace AI tools and understand how this is changing consumers’ search process.

Banking on experience-led and wellness-driven growth

As consumers increasingly prefer experiences over tangible goods and prioritise their wellness, a growing number of market players are moving towards experience-led models, from travel to hospitality or private members’ clubs, to drive growth, build loyalty and elevate their brand.

Creating long-term value with sustainability

Sustainability remains crucial as a long-term strategy. New ESG laws, especially in the EU, are becoming effective and consumers increasingly demand more transparency from the brands they buy. Hence, fashion players need to continue investing in more circular business models and tools such as digital product IDs to deliver what regulators and consumers will ask for, in future.

 

Key findings
Fashion is caught in the storm of Trump’s tariffs, trade wars and climate change
Global market poised for slow growth in the face of uncertainty
APAC set to contribute 33% of value growth in global sales over 2024-2029
Childrenswear and sportswear continue to outperform the wider industry
Companies at a glance
Top companies in apparel and footwear
M&A remains very influential in a volatile market, as businesses seek growth and scale
Anta acquires Jack Wolfskin to strengthen its position in the European outdoor market
Trump’s agenda has far-reaching implications for the US market and beyond
Market players realign g lobal trade and supply chains to mitigate their risks
Shein returned to India in early 2025 and aims to open an export hub in Brazil by 2026
adidas launched its latest 3D printed Climacool shoe globally in May 2025
Emerging markets to drive global growth in apparel and footwear
Cos (H&M Group) to open its first boutique in New Delhi, India, in autumn 2025
Primark is set to open its first four stores in the GCC region, in Kuwait City and Dubai, by 2026
Hyper-segmentation: Leveraging diverse consumer needs to unlock growth
From Burberry to Miu Miu , luxury brands increasingly tap into the Boomers opportunity
Investing in social commerce and AI-powered tools is a “must” to drive engagement
Zalando launches generative AI-powered fashion assistant across 25 countries
Delivering value through more holistic high-touch shopping experiences
HOKA hosted a HOKA Run Stop Corner Shop in Shoreditch, London
Louis?Vuitton buoys brand experience with “The Louis” ship-shaped flagship in Shanghai
Consumers increasingly prefer experiences over tangible goods
Brands need to redefine their value around personalisation, wellness and lifestyle
Zara has launched a “Travel Mode” feature on its mobile app
Dolce & Gabbana takes over the San Domenico Palace in Sicily, for the summer 2025
Selfridges rewards time spent in its stores and plans to open a private members’ club
Brands to rethink their models because of sustainability-related laws, especially in EU
Companies can leverage sustainability for story telling and long-term value creation
In late 2024, US-based retailer Target voluntarily rolled out digital IDs on its garments
Mango announces partnership with Circulose in June 2025, to scale recycled fibres
Key findings

Apparel and Footwear

Apparel is the aggregation of clothing and footwear. This dataset covers retail sales of apparel through both store-based retailers and non-store retailers. Excludes black market sales (i.e. untaxed, generated within informal retailing)and duty free sales (travel retail). Items must be new when sold to the consumer; second-hand/used items are excluded. Antique and/or vintage clothing and footwear is also excluded.

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